Celebrating Austin.

We went to Texas to shoot our June catalog and fell in love with this modern marvel of a city. Here are a few of our favorite places.

(All photos, except where noted, courtesy of Molly Winters.)

Laguna Gloria
The Contemporary Austin comprises two locations: the historic Jones Center in downtown Austin, and Laguna Gloria, a unique, fourteen-acre art-in-nature site that includes the landmark Driscoll Villa, the Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park, the Gatehouse Gallery, and the Art School at Laguna Gloria.

Barton Springs
Within Zilker Park’s 358 acres lies one of the crown jewels of Austin: Barton Springs Pool. This three-acre pool is fed from underground springs with an average temperature of 68-70 degrees. Trivia: At the age of five, Robert Redford learned to swim at the pool while visiting family in Austin.

Book People
Since 1970, this independent bookstore has been a must-see (or must-read) destination in Texas. It has been voted best bookstore in Austin for more than 15 years. Every week, several of the most interesting and important authors in the world have readings here. It’s also a favorite spot of former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop
Designed by Michael Hsu and located in a historic warehouse building in downtown Austin, Mellow Johnny’s is a destination for cycling and social gathering. The urban setting is based on its commitment to cycling as transportation and utility, as well as fun and fitness.

South Congress Hotel
Designed by Michael Hsu, this mixed-use project includes restaurants, cafés and retail spaces in addition to hotel rooms. When asked about the unfinished concrete, Hsu says, “I think that’s a very Austin thing, the way we balance refinement with rawness, because we’re a city that thinks of itself in those terms. We resist being too refined.”